Cress Williams
Cress Williams is an American actor born on July 26, 1970, in Heidelberg, West Germany, to American parents. He studied acting at Fullerton College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of California, Los Angeles. Williams began his acting career performing in college plays, notably in productions like Shakespeare's "Othello" in 1990 before moving on to television and film roles. He is best known for his diverse roles on television, including Terrence "Scooter" Williams on the sitcom "Living Single," Inspector Antwon Babcock on "Nash Bridges," and Detective Ed Williams on the drama "Close to Home." He gained further prominence as Mayor Lavon Hayes in The CW series "Hart of Dixie" and especially as the lead character Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning in the superhero TV series "Black Lightning" (2018-2021). Williams has also had guest roles on numerous popular shows including "Prison Break," where he played the assassin Wyatt Mathewson, along with appearances in "Friday Night Lights," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU," among others. In addition to live-action roles, he has voiced the character John Henry Irons in animated films related to the DC universe. Off screen, Williams has been married twice and has four children. His career spans from the early 1990s to the present, marked by a steady presence in television dramas, action series, and superhero fiction, earning him recognition as a versatile and reliable actor in the entertainment industry
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Eyes of Wakanda as The Lion (voice)
- 2024 · Dead Wrong as Paul Drake
- 2022 · What Remains as Marshall
- 2021 · Crime Story as Jimmy
- 2020 · The Violent Heart as Lee
- 2019 · The Death and Return of Superman as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
- 2019 · Reign of the Supermen as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
- 2018 · The Death of Superman as John Henry Irons (voice)
- 2018 · Black Lightning as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- 2017 · Lowriders as Williams
- 2016 · DC's Legends of Tomorrow as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- 2015 · Code Black as Cole Guthrie
- 2014 · The Flash as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- 2014 · In Your Eyes as Jake
- 2011 · Hart of Dixie as Lavon Hayes
- 2005 · Close to Home as Ed Williams
- 2005 · Grey's Anatomy as Tucker Jones
- 2004 · House as Hospital Attorney
- 2004 · Veronica Mars as Nathan Woods
- 2004 · Little Black Book as Phil
- 2003 · Cold Case as Jimmy Clarke
- 2003 · The Lyon's Den as Eddie
- 2002 · The Dogwalker as K.C.
- 2001 · Pursuit of Happiness as Ace
- 2000 · Masquerade as Marcus
- 1999 · The West Wing as Lester
- 1999 · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Sam Dufoy
- 1999 · Never Been Kissed as George
- 1998 · Creature as Tall Man
- 1998 · Fallen as Detective Joe
- 1997 · L.A. Johns as Bill Allen
- 1997 · Leaving L.A. as Dudley Adams
- 1997 · Home Invasion as Freemont
- 1996 · Rolling Thunder as 'Grey' Toussaint
- 1996 · 2 Days in the Valley as Golfer
- 1996 · Nash Bridges as Antwon Babcock
- 1995 · The Doom Generation as Peanut
- 1995 · JAG as Captain Overton
- 1995 · If Not for You as Ahmed
- 1994 · Touched by an Angel as Riley
- 1994 · ER as Officer Reggie Moore
- 1994 · ER as Reggie Moore
- 1993 · NYPD Blue as Silky
- 1993 · Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as
- 1993 · Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Talak'talan
- 1990 · Beverly Hills, 90210 as D'Shawn Hardell
- Future · Reimagined as Ray